2014 World Cup: Can Uruguay's Luis Suarez Lead His Country to Glory?

Luis Suarez of Uruguay celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between Uruguay and England at Arena de Sao Paulo in Sao Paulo, Brazil, June 19, 2014.

He may currently be soccer’s greatest heel. Uruguay's Luis Suarez is the reigning player of the year in England, where he led the Premier League in England with 31 goals in 33 games.

But the 27-year-old made Uruguay's roster for the 2014 World Cup even though he recently underwent surgery on his left knee. He didn't play in Uruguay's loss to Costa Rica but scored twice in a 2-1 victory against England.

Suarez scored three times in the last World Cup despite missing the semifinal because he punched away a sure goal in the dying seconds in the game before, earning himself a red card. But the move worked as the ensuing penalty shot was missed -- cameras caught Suarez celebrating -- and Uruguay won in a penalty shootout.

Andres Stapff/REUTERS

Uruguayan soccer player Luis Suarez leaves a hospital in a wheelchair after surgery due to a knee injury in Montevideo, Uruguay on May 22, 2014.

Suarez's league-leading goals tally in England came even though the missed the first five matches because he was still serving a 10-game suspension for biting another player during a game the season before.

Yes, he bit someone during a game. And this was actually the second time he did this, having been suspended 7 games for biting an opponent while playing in the Netherlands.

He was also suspended in 2011, accused of racially abusing another player. He has blamed the English media for his problems.

Expect to hear Suarez’s name a lot -- for both good and bad reasons.

Get real-time World Cup results and news about all the matches you care about delivered right to your phone every day. To start, just "star" this story in ABC News' phone app. More of a casual fan? Sign up for occasional dispatches from Brazil -- including the best photos and limited highlights -- by "starring" this story. Download ABC News for iPhone here or ABC News for Android here.